33 Chapter 33 Falling Hard (1/2)

When Gia's foot slipped, she kicked off from the stone pathway of the city, hoping to jump onto the branch, but instead, she slammed against it, scrambling against the smooth wood before falling.

”Gia!” screamed Vonn, falling to his belly, as if he might be able to catch her, but she watched his face get smaller and smaller.

Then Llewel was there. He had jumped off the other side of the branch and was streaking towards her.

”Spread your arms and legs out!” he shouted.

She did as he ordered, feeling the air pushing against her, and he drew closer, his arms held tight against him.

”Grab me!” he shouted, as he got close enough to wrap his arms around her. He slid his arms between her bag and her back, locking his hands together and pulling her tight against him.

She didn't hesitate, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She even locked her ankles to make sure she didn't come loose. Her face was in the crook of his neck and she suddenly became aware of a smell. The scent was in his hair, and it reminded her of the forest. There was a wildness to it that brought to mind images of tall trees and wild creatures.

Then she saw the rope he was tied to starting to stretch. Reaching the end of the rope, there was a sharp jolt and she realized she couldn't breathe! Fighting to pull air into her lungs despite the burning pain in her side, Gia's grip on Llewel's neck started to slip.

”Hold on!” he growled, pulling her tighter, and she felt a pop.

The scream that came out of her was weak but still made him wince. At least she could breathe again. It felt like she had a hot iron pressed to her side, where she had hit the branch before falling. She must have broken a rib to be in that much pain. They bounced on the end of the rope, spinning in circles as she gasped in air, trying to tighten her hold.

”We're pulling you up!” cried Kilyn from far above them, and Gia felt a jerk on the rope, followed by another and another.

She closed her eyes, ignoring the dizziness that was trying to come over her and focused on breathing through the pain. When she finally felt hands pulling her up over the lip of the branch, she dared to open her eyes.

Vonn was there, pulling her to him, and she went joyfully. Crying as he pulled on her left arm, he almost dropped her again.

”I think one of her left ribs is broken,” gasped Llewel, as he climbed up onto the branch and lay there panting. ”She can still scream pretty loud, despite the broken rib.”

”Does that mean you're deaf now?” asked Kilyn, smirking down at him.

”In my left ear,” he said, cupping it gently and feigning pain.

”I am so sorry!” whispered Vonn, holding her as tightly as he could without hurting her further.

She buried her head into his shoulder and just lay there breathing, trying not to move. Hearing her mother weeping, she turned her head to see her father consoling her. Mikey was clutching Tom's shirt edge, like he used to do when he was very little, looking over at her with big wide eyes.

There was a slight tremble to the branch they were laying on, and Kilyn cursed.

”Get everyone off the branch!” cried Llewel, struggling to stand.

”It's too late!” cried Kilyn, throwing herself belly down on the branch. ”Everyone, hold on!”

Vonn rolled them over, causing Gia to gasp in pain at the sudden movement, and the branch they were on started to buck and rock.

”What's going on?!” shouted Vonn.

”Backlash from the pull of the rope!” answered Llewel. ”It won't last long!”

Gia was crying as the movements finally faded, holding her left arm to her side and trying not to move. As Vonn helped her to her feet, worry for her evident on his face, they turned to step over onto the path and gasped. The two foot step was now a four foot one.

”I was afraid of that,” said Kilyn, shaking her head. ”Hold on.”

She took a breath and kneeled, laying her hand on the branch and closing her eyes. Her hand started to glow as vines popped out of the branch, shooting across the gap and sinking into the stone. With a grunt of exertion, she pulled the branch they were standing on closer to the stone. The moment it was close enough, Vonn helped her step across.

”Enough, sister!” said Llewel, grabbing her shoulder.